Singing James Brown at Groundwork

Yesterday was my two months anniversary of working for Groundwork as an Admin Assistant - what a boost for my confidence to be able to get paid (though part time) work again.  I was very happy to finally get a steady paid role which left my evenings and weekends free unlike the pub where I was Supervisor whose restructuring programme simply created more unease and reduced morale amongst staff. 

Though while I celebrated and people were happy for me, it was difficult to be too over the top as those around me suffered the fate of the spending cuts announced in November last year by the new government.  My first main task was also to clear and archive papers to make room for new furniture coming over from one of the other branches to be closed.  I worked hard at it and in the last few days discussed the details for a removals man to come and take away unneeded furniture.  My manager finally came to visit and after having a prompt look around seemed to think I had done more than enough and that I had exceeded the requirements for the removals man without realising it, though the excess work would still need to have been done eventually, just not as quickly as I had done it.  We could both see the space being easily vacated and done at low cost.  I was chuffed.  

Not as chuffed however as when I came downstairs to switch off my computer to go home when I noticed an email from Trevor Pybus from Phoenix Community Housing. 

The shed and the summerhouse got planning approval.  YAY!!!!!

I am over the moon!!!!  Not only did I save Groundwork and Phoenix hundreds of pounds by doing the planning application by myself rather than a consultant, we got the planning permission which means that the users of the community garden will not only continue to have a safe place to store their gardening tools, but also a place to shelter from the sunshine and rain, and have an area where they can sit down and have a cup of tea and a biscuit together.  

My confidence is slowly being restored and I feel good, na na na na na na na... (*James Brown sing along*)

Now all they have to do is put the summerhouse up.... Ahem... Oh.... Next.......!!!

The heat is on.... on the street! And the community garden.

It's my last day at Groundwork and I'm amazed at how much I can do when when I've got time pressure against me to finish some much work before I go...  Yes, I have finally completed the 3d drawings of the summerhouse and the shed and the plan of the community garden.  The plan is only an indication drawing, hence the lack of substantial detail... but the summerhouse is something I am proud of.  Go Maya :-)  

As per usual my travel and subsistence expenses took a back seat for over two months and I got them sorted and approved today. I am soooo looking forward to seeing that money back in my account.  This week was almost a wash out especially what with the renewal of car insurance... that was sticky.  

And then finally there is the admin - but most of that is done.  It'll be drinks in the Stage Door tonight.  A final cheer to good old memories and to the closure of another chapter.  Lovely.  

But the blog will go on... 

The beginning of the end and the new wait...

So my line manager and I had a chat before Christmas and it was basically about how crap the employment was and how disheartened I had become after 10 months of trying to fill in applications and not actually getting anywhere.  Not to mention some of the pressure I was feeling from certain outlets which really didn't help my ego.  Yeah, I felt crap and helpless.  It's one thing working for money and taking the pressure and another thing working as a volunteer for ages and getting less and less motivated because no one wants you (or they do but they can't afford more than one employee), and taking the pressure AND trying to boost your confidence at the same time.  Nah, thanks mate. 

I took the Christmas break to think about what I was doing with myself.  I'd spent so long working on so many projects but really needed a break and some way of making myself realise again that I was good at working.  Whatever I did.  Even my manager knew it and told me that I was the kind of person who you could give a job to and be trusted to fulfil it to the finest detail.  Yes, detail was everything and we kicked ass.  

The one example she gave me was the Wandle Conference that we organised jointly back in April.  As a volunteer I remember thinking that I should take a back seat and let Carla lead me in my work.  But when we got to sitting down and sorting out the workshops we flowed.  It was something that Carla was worried about and felt she would have to spend ages on it, go into overtime, revise over and over but with both of us working on it, we got it down in a matter of hours across a couple of days.  Awesome :) 

It occurred to me how much all my experience intertwined not only at the conference but in all the other projects had I taken part in delivering.  I had applied all my teaching experience and events coordinating in putting together open days for the community garden and consultations for adults and children.  I organised promotional material, venues, activities, the lot.  I knew (and still do) that I was so capable of all the work I did, and more switched on than some other people who, although were better at me in things like current affairs or who were better travelled than me (and I have been to a few places as well...), still lacked the vital project managements skills that I owned.  

 

I remember one day having a tense conversation with a colleague about the timings of two consultations (one with adults, one with children) that he had organised and that I was meant to be helping with on the day and the level of publicity (which was minimal) he had given it and the likelihood of having lots of people attend.  He was adamant that he was right and that his plan would work and that as a volunteer (I think he must have thought I was an inexperienced intern) I was wrong.  I ended up demonstrating the timing of actually doing the activities in the midst of the meeting and counting aloud the seconds that it was taking, then multiplied it to the level at which the activity was meant to take place.  Grudgingly the timings were amended.  As for the attendees, I told him that from the level and type of publicity he had given the consultations, we'd be lucky if we had one.  I was right again.  Plan B of grabbing people off the streets took place (which was quite successful) and we were both happy.  Don't mess with the Mayster.  

Anyway, in January I gave them my notice.  Three weeks so that I could tie up loose ends for the community garden, do some tree planting that I'd promised another colleague I'd help out with, and do some phoning around to find a project in Bexley that we could use some funding for.  Tomorrow is my second last day.  My three week plan is almost accomplished with additional admin (like my 2 months of expenses!) thrown in.  

And what am I going to do my time now?  Well, the General Manager at the Rose offered me the opportunity to work as a Supervisor.  Sweet.  Yes please!  A small payrise but at least I get the experience and more importantly for the moment, the confidence boost.  Nice :-)  I've taken a week off from the pub to calm down from the hype of the holidays and this month and will be starting my new role next week.  I'll do that until I get confidence boost number 2 - a position as Community Project Officer in an environmental setting.  That would be the most wonderful thing ever.  Please?  x

Job hunting is almost like birdwatching. Kind of... Yeah...

It's one of the most endearing moments (probably) when you get a random email from an old man who you don't really know forwarding you emails about jobs that they think you should apply for.  It's especially endearing when it's a job for Head of something or other when you know that really you should be going for Officer or Manager roles... Yes, it did make me laugh, but also realise that any other roles they send me will be too far out the window to even consider.  Or maybe I'm just being modest.  Yes, perhaps I should blow my own trumpet a little more, grab the bull by the horns and just go for it, and then realise that yes, I was always able to do it, silly moo!!! Story of my life.

I guess the weirdest thing is the belief people have in you more than you have in yourself.  I think everybody goes through highs and lows of what they feel they can and can't do just because of the frequency practising those qualities, or the comments you have received from people, or your own critical self.  And then there are those moments when you think, "Well surely if I can do it, then anyone can!"  And then those other times when someone turns round to you (or someone else and says), "Yes, Maya's very good at that...".  Sorry?  Did I mishear you?  Are you crazy??  OK, thanks... I'll put that on my CV. 

It's just like birdwatching.  Peter (see previous post) very kindly took me and two friends, Natalie and Philip for a tour around Beddington Farmlands - an amazing site (and sight - see photos below) which used to be a sewage works, is currently partly a landfill site and is being transformed into a nature reserve.  Philip, a keen birder (still is) who I volunteered with at the London Wetland Centre, and Peter started discussing the the activitiy of birding.   When you start off, you learn and recognise so many things.  You think you're amazing because you know so much.  Then you meet other birders and go twitching some more.  And then realise that actually in the grand scheme of things, you know very little and you become disgruntled.  But you perservere and you learn more and feel better about yourself and your confidence is restored.  And it continues in cycles. 

Yes, persevere.  It takes a lot of strength, but the reward at the end of it is fantastic.  And listen to others.  Like old men.  It's always been said they provide good advice.  I might even apply for that job. 

(That's if I don't get that job down south that I've been chasing for the last week!!  They said they'll get back to me next week but what with their strong recruitment drive and all the snow they've been having, they've been a little busy.... Fingers crossed, pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease!!!!!!!). 

Lakes, tributary to the River Wandle at Beddington Farmlands (taken by Natalie)

 

Natalie and Philip avoiding the deep muddy areas





Philip stuck in the mud, whoops! (Taken by Natalie)



Peter looking very happy he's on slightly drier land



Walking along the landfill site... the mud stuck to our boots and weighed us down like bricks! (Taken by Natalie)



Time to spare, or not to spare? That is the question....

Ha ha.... It's not everyday that your manager sends you home and tells you complete that job application!  Yes, ma'am.  I will.  Yes, and I will send it to you on the old email if I have time for you to check the personal statement bit for me, thank you very much!  Ah, I love her - she's terrific!!

But it makes sense.  I've been volunteering now for 7 months and almost a half, and doing 4 days a week of project work - be in stuff on the Wandle Valley Regional Park or the community garden in Bellingham.  It wasn't until about 3 or 4 months ago that Carla, my manager and I sat down together to do a future plan of my work that she suggested that I spend one day a week on my 'Personal Development' (or Per Dev).  This entailed working on job applications, updating my CV, on top of the regular administration and filling in timesheets etc....  What an awesome idea!  This really helped me get things done.  Helped me that is, until I started letting project work creep into my Per Dev time. 

The community garden in Farmstead Road was getting desperate, Giovanna my project manager didn't have enough man hours to cover her and the Community Gardener.  So since I, along with a young lady who was working under the Future Jobs Fund (FJF), Khristine were "free", we were asked to carry out lots of work that Giovanna simply could not afford to ask paid staff to do.  It didn't help that one of the residents of the community garden innocently bought a summer hut for the site in memory of her mother - and it only cost her £200 from eBay.  In fact the summer hut has cost us loads more in terms of man hours to discuss the matter with the landowners via email and telephone conversations, time to discuss it with the steering group and the lady who bought it, hiring a truck to collect the thing, time to dismantle it, my travel expenses to come in and do the planning application and money to submit it.  Yes, probably an extra few hundred pounds of money that we really didn't want to spend on a summer hut.  Especially when we already have a shed.  Blimey..........  So no, I wasn't entirely happy, and nor was Giovanna.  And nor is Carla because I need to do some Per Dev. 

Not only that, I also found myself volunteering to help out on other projects that needed extra hands at the cost of my Per Dev time.... Whoops.  Yes, I know.... Bad Maya. 

So the other day, Carla and I had another discussion about my work.  This time things were different.  She very wisely suggested that I do 3 days a week in the office and one day at home - that day being my Per Dev day.  That way, I wouldn't be distracted and I would just do my job applications without project time creeping in and the rest of time I could do my project work.

Anyway today, I was at a launch of some working groups for the Wandle Valley Regional Park where I spoke to a friend, Peter who also has a blog called Non-Stop Birding.  He attended the conference that I'd coordinated in April on the regional park (see my first post) and was one of the not-as-enthused delegates to join a warm up that some of the local school kids came to perform after their amazing trout dance, until I pushed him into it (sorry Peter).  So anyway, after the launch, I then went to measure the summer house for the community garden so that I could put some drawings together for the planning application, and I've come home to do a job application that I need to finish by midday tomorrow.  And having been reminded about my blog by Peter at the launch, I decided to write an entry...  The job application?  Yes, it's slightly complicated.  I would love it if I got the job but it's a hard one... I have to go to work at the pub in an hour.  And I'm writing a blog post.  Peter - I blame you ;-) and the lack of the trout dance - they knew you were coming!  Oh dear, procrastination has got the better of me... OK, I will at least make a start on it now.....  Really, yes, I will....!!!

The reason why I could buy a pint for my mate Shak.

I'm feeling a lot more positive this week.  For two reasons:  I have money.... And I've had an interview.

First - money.  a) I finally put my travel expenses in at work, yay....!! and b) Yes, I have got myself a part time pub job.  Lovely little pub off the main street of Chelsea.  Good food, great atmosphere, friendly people.  I love it.  And it was only because my friend Shak dragged me out for a pint (which he very kindly paid for) and us having a bit of banter with the manager that I blurted out, "Do you have any jobs going?"  Yes, he does.  And he needs more females to balance out the bar staff.  Part time is fine.  And would I like to come in for a trial shift next week?  Yes please :-)  And there's Shak sitting opposite me at the table, pint in hand, merrily cheering me on!  Ha ha...

So, I come for the trial shift.  6pm on a Friday night.  It's only meant to be 2 or 3 hours long, no payment (to me).....But because the pub is sooooo busy, 7 hours later at 1am, I'm helping break down the bar (catering term for tidying it up, not dismantling!!) and having a chat with the manager.  He's given me 40 quid for the night, and paper work to fill in.  Awesome.  Cash!!  And I have the job. 

One week later, I have my first proper shift.  It's strange being back behind the bar.  I'd not been in that position for almost 8 months.  And before that almost 8 years!  And I'm wondering if I'm doing the right thing being back there?  Yes, I am, stop being silly, Maya!  Yes, I am actually pretty excited about it.  I do like bar work.  And there is another girl in who's on trial shift.  I tell her what happened to me the week before and we joke that it will happen to her.  It does.  She's there at 1am helping us to break down the bar.  40 quid.  Contract.  Good one. 

That night was manic.  Totally.  There was a birthday party and a load of regular drunken lunatics getting pissed as usual.  And suddenly out of nowhere, the Jagerbombs start flying!  Shit.  Fun to prepare once you have everything, but a pain to put together because the bar is always short of shot glasses.  So I spend a lot of the evening getting glasses collected, washed, helping the other bar tenders serve - which also means I'm out of the sales race!  However, I'm so fast at doing this, and the bar tenders are only short a couple of times that night, that I earn the nickname of Ninja!  Haaaaaaaaaai-ya!!!  It is now my name on the till. 

A week after my first shift (2 weeks after my trial), I had an interview.  It was funny because it was the first interview in the last few months which I had not been nervous in.  Perhaps I was still unsure about whether I wanted the job or not to the point that I knew that if I didn't get it, I wouldn't be too disappointed.  Or perhaps I'd just become non-chalent after being in so many interviews and had almost accepted that I probably wouldn't get the job anyway, so why get stressed or worried about it!?  Either way, I felt myself chatting away, so relaxed and happy, and ready enough to just expand and expand on everything.  And the interviewers were really friendly and nice... I don't know when I will hear about the job -but my point is, I wish this would happen in every interview... Humph!  Now, I know that I am capable of being relaxed and answering questions fully, I will do my best to repeat it.  Fingers crossed.  Ahem... yeah... the prospect of having to have a non-chalent attitude for a job I desperately want really doesn't appeal, though somehow I'm going to have to master it... *sigh*

And so a few days ago, I checked my bank balance.  I have money from my travel expenses... and my first weekly wage from the pub.  Excellent.  Smile.  So I went and dragged Shak out and bought him a pint.  He was happy.  

The cost of moving

Hot desking is actually surprisingly easy to do once you get used to it though you need to be able to compact all your things into one notebook.  I remember the second or third day of coming to volunteer and passing my new line manager Carla on the way with a massive bag full of files, notebooks and papers that she had to transport from one office to another depending on what meetings she had on, what activities, etc.  She had clearly been carrying it all the way from home - not close - that I took it off her immediately for the last 4 minutes of the journey.  I remember after that vowing to myself to be a minimalist. 

Having to remember to get receipts for everything was, and still is, a hassle.  You have to remember to ask for them, keep them together and then sort them out every week or two... or three.  I was initially good at it partly because I was recycling the money I was spending on travel and food the week after and therefore couldn't do without. 

But then there began to be issues with my oystercard.  I forget to ask for a print out of my journeys at the end of my day and decide to do it the next day.  But then can't do it for one reason or another and so I decide to go at the end of my journey of the second day and ask for one.   But then I've made so many journeys on the first day that when I eventually ask for a print out, the journeys are coming off the sheet!!  Bugger.  OK, so I have to call the oystercard company to send me a statement.  Shit, it's registered to my brother and I hadn't realise that I'd switched it by mistake until then (I'd been using it for around 6 months by this time).  So I have to ask him to change the details for me online (I give him another oyster card in return) so that Oyster can help me.  They're suspicious and give me a hard time but they help me anyway.  *Sigh* 

And then there's that game that you play with yourself with the oystercards - which one has the most cash on it - enough to get you to work, or at least the one requiring the least top up... That just leads to more confusion and should be avoided at all costs.  Seriously.  And this is possibly the main reason why I am now 5 weeks behind in getting my money back.  Also because somewhere in between I lost one of my three oystercards, had to call Oyster, get a new one sent (they replaced the wrong card though so I had to ask them again) but then found the oystercard I thought I'd lost but then forgot to touch out when exiting a station so had to call Oyster again.... The boys there love me.  They really do.  [Sarcasm].

But the issue has almost come to an end, I have my statements and I will put my claim in for the last 5 weeks (or it is 6?) on Monday.  I swear.  I will.  Promise.